Step-by-Step: How to Properly Sign Your Title in Maryland

Step 1: Where To sign

On the car title for Maryland, there’s a specific section reserved for the seller to sign, usually found on the title’s back side.

Step 2: Sign the Title

Use your legal name as it appears on the title when signing. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person and the names are joined by “AND,” or “OR” all parties must sign.

Step 3: Lien Release

If the title of your car in Maryland shows that a bank or someone else has a financial claim on it (this is called a lien), then that bank or person needs to officially agree (by signing the title or giving you a letter) to remove their claim before you can do anything with the title.

Important Tips

No Erasures or Whiteouts: Maryland law may invalidate any title with erasures, whiteouts, or alterations. If a mistake is made, you may need to obtain a duplicate title.

Double-Check: Before handing the title over to the buyer, double-check all the information for accuracy and completeness. This includes your signature, the buyer’s information, and the odometer reading.

What If You Don’t Have A Title?

The Maryland MVA demands that you provide a title before you can sell a vehicle.

However, if you might have misplaced or lost the title, you can get a duplicate copy from the Maryland MVA

Duplicate Title

If you need to request a replacement title from the MVA, simply follow these steps:

Complete a Duplicate Title Form.
Take the completed form to your local MVA office.
Pay a fee of $20.00, and you should receive the title in the mail within approximately 3 weeks or they may be able to issue a title at time of request.

Power of Attorney

By executing a Limited Power of Attorney (POA), you authorize us to amend any mistakes on the title without needing your direct endorsement again. This POA is strictly for actions related to the specified title, such as filling in a missing endorsement or making corrections requested by the MVA. Therefore, by signing this POA, you are not granting us any additional authority beyond these specified conditions.